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22 Best Whiskey Cocktails to Enjoy at Home

Double down on your mixologist skills with these delicious whiskey cocktails. From old favorites like whiskey sours and Irish coffee to new, creative ways to enjoy this classic liquor, we'll show you how to whip up these delicious drinks at home. They'll be sure to take you straight from cocktail hour to an after-dinner nightcap with ease.

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Cinnamon Hot Toddy

Mulled cider and cinnamon whiskey unite to create a perfect winter sipper. The Fireball flavor may be subtle here, but there’s no doubt this cider is spiked. We prefer using refrigerated cider to shelf-stable cider. Depending on your preferred brand of cider, you may choose to omit the added sugar during the mulling step. This recipe makes 12 servings, but you don’t have to serve it all at once. You can mull the cider, serve what you want, and save the remainder in the fridge.

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Spiced Whiskey Sour

Five-spice powder turns the classic whiskey sour into something special. You can double, triple, or quadruple the spiced sugar syrup and refrigerate for up to two weeks. Use in cocktails, or drizzle over hot oatmeal.

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Egg on Fire

Time Inc. Video Studios

Egg on Fire
RecipeLet your cocktail double as a drink and a party trick with this homemade eggnog shot. Mix store-bought eggnog and cinnamon whiskey in a shot glass, top with Everclear, and light it on fire. (Yes, you read that right.) Sprinkle cinnamon for extra sparkles, and blow out after 10-15 seconds. Shoot when it's cool enough for you to handle!

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Summer Cobbler Cocktail

Summer Cobbler Cocktail
RecipeSet in the foothills of the Great Smokey Mountains, Blackberry Farm is well-renowned for its incredible vistas, food, and service. Get a taste of the Farm for a fraction of the cost by mixing up one of their own cocktails at home. Blackberry preserves, fresh blackberries, Grand Marnier, and whiskey make this cocktail the ultimate (affordable) summer luxury.

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Cranberry-Whiskey Sour Slush

Photo: Levi Brown; Styling: Tiziana Agnello

Cranberry-Whiskey Sour Slush RecipeIs it a drink or dessert? Who cares? It satisfies both cravings. Our garnet-colored slush has all the qualities of a delicious cocktail—a not-too-sweet combination of high-quality liquor and fruity tang. Make sure to steer clear of above-80-proof bourbon; it won't freeze solid enough to become slushy. Garnish with any fresh herb.

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Mr. Burns

Photo: Jeffery Cross; Styling: Emma Star Jensen

Mr. Burns
RecipeSingle malt whiskey, dry vermouth, and Bénédictine elevate this elegant take on the Manhattan. Bénédictine is a honey-based herbal liqueur made in France from a recipe dating back to the 16th century—and it's delicious.

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Gingerbread Java

Photo: Thomas J. Story

Gingerbread Java
RecipeThis gingerbread-inspired spiked coffee might just be the perfect drink to get you through the holiday season. Coffee? Check. Cinnamon whiskey? Check. Pumpkin pie spice? Check. Toss in some ginger liqueur, molasses, and heavy cream and you'll be full of holiday cheer in no time flat.

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The Groom

"I created this recipe to serve at our November wedding," says reader Komron Shahhosseini of Santa Rosa, California. "It's fantastic to drink with your groomsmen but approachable enough to share with the bridesmaids." His sophisticated original version included a tincture of candy cap mushrooms, which taste like maple syrup; we've left it out, since candy cap mushrooms aren't easy to find. Here is his method, if you'd like to try it: Crush 1 oz. of dried candy cap mushrooms and mix with 6 oz. of vodka. Let sit 30 days, then strain.

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Autumn Sweater

Photo: Robbie Caponetto

Autumn Sweater RecipeThis heady cocktail features rye whiskey and two amaro liqueurs, plus classic autumn flavors like orange, maple syrup, and cloves. Enjoy it on the couch next to a roaring fire for the ultimate cool weather treat.

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Peach-Bourbon Sours

Photo: Beau Gustafson; Styling: Sissy Lamberton

Peach-Bourbon Sours RecipeRelax on sultry summer nights with one of these fruity bourbon sours. The drink gets its flavor from peach preserves; feel free to substitute your favorite fruit preserves, if desired. Seedless blackberry, apricot, or ginger would all work particularly well.

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Southern Godfather

Photo: Ray Kachatorian

Southern Godfather RecipeTake your decidedly Italian Godfather (typically Scotch whiskey mixed with amaretto) south of the Mason-Dixon Line with the addition of sweetened steeped black tea and fresh mint. For a lighter drink, add a splash of sparkling water.

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Malt Whiskey Fizz

Photo: Jeffery Cross; Styling: Emma Star Jensen

Malt Whiskey Fizz
RecipeThis citrusy whiskey cocktail features a straight malt whiskey blended with lemon juice, Cointreau (a French orange liqueur), simple syrup, and egg whites. Top with a splash of club soda and four drops of Angostura bitters.